Pennington Gap is a small town of 2,254 in Virginia, with a median household income of $24,222
and a 21.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is
12% below the national average.
Strengths:
Pennington Gap stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Pennington Gap is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Pennington Gap city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 88.4
Pennington Gap's overall cost of living index is 88.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Pennington Gap costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.
Metric
Pennington Gap, VA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$90,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$684
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
43.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$24,222
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Pennington Gap's violent crime rate is 187.8 per 100,000 residents
— 51% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
187.8 /100k
Property Crime
1024.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Pennington Gap is served primarily by Lee County Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Pennington Gap, VA
National Avg
School District
Lee County Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
7.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
72.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Pennington Gap sees average highs of 44.8°F in January
and 85.3°F in July,
with 49.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.3 inches of snow per year.
Pennington Gap's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Pennington Gap roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $90,700 and median rent is $684/month.
Pennington Gap's violent crime rate is 187.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1024.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Pennington Gap are operated by Lee County Public Schools.
The district has 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.2:1. 7.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Pennington Gap, VA has a population of 2,254, a median household income of $24,222, and an unemployment rate of 21.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Pennington Gap averages 44.8°F in January and 85.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.7 inches
with about 9.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Pennington Gap, VA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 24277.
The population of Pennington Gap, Virginia is 2,254 with a median age of 32.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Pennington Gap: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $90,700, median household income $24,222, crime index 49 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Pennington Gap side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
